Latest at Starbase with LabPadre: August 21
STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Flight 10's expected launch date is approaching, so let's take a deeper dive into some of the changes SpaceX is making to ensure the next launch and future launches are more successful. In other starship...
https://rgv.news/latest-at-starbase-with-labpadre-august-21-20283.html
In response to failures and grieving parents, Texas lawmakers advance flood bills
Here’s where the proposed laws to address camp safety, flood warnings and emergency response stand in the Legislature.
https://rgv.news/in-response-to-failures-and-grieving-parents-texas-lawmakers-advance-flood-bills-20282.html
Active shooter reported at Villanova University campus near Philadelphia
Villanova University is a private Catholic university in the Philadelphia suburbs.
https://rgv.news/active-shooter-reported-at-villanova-university-campus-near-philadelphia-20274.html
‘Gigabay’ project may create more than 500 new jobs in Cameron County
STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX may receive a $3,750,000 sales tax refund for creating more than 500 new jobs in Cameron County. During a meeting on Wednesday night, the Starbase City Commission nominated the company’s new rocket factory —...
https://rgv.news/-gigabay-project-may-create-more-than-500-new-jobs-in-cameron-county-20266.html
Starbase approves SpaceX's Gigabay project for economic development
STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starbase has approved SpaceX's Gigabay project for nomination to the Texas Enterprise Zone Program, potentially allowing the company to receive a refund on state sales tax. The Gigabay facility, valued at $500 million, exceeds the...
https://rgv.news/starbase-approves-spacex-s-gigabay-project-for-economic-development-20259.html
'You all have answered a prayer': Chef after earning top performer sticker
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In this week’s Food 4 Thought, the Food Patrol is spotlighting a new business that passed the health department report, making it a top performer. It's puro que rico time in this week’s Food 4...
https://rgv.news/-you-all-have-answered-a-prayer-chef-after-earning-top-performer-sticker-20256.html
Sister donates kidney to twin brother for their birthday
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A sister has given her twin brother the birthday gift of a lifetime. Laura Treviño underwent a procedure at DHR Health on Wednesday to donate her kidney to her brother, Francisco Alvarado, who has been...
https://rgv.news/sister-donates-kidney-to-twin-brother-for-their-birthday-20252.html
Texas House approves GOP congressional map after two-week delay from Democrats’ walkout
"Texas House approves GOP congressional map after two-week delay from Democrats’ walkout" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and...
https://rgv.news/texas-house-approves-gop-congressional-map-after-two-week-delay-from-democrats-walkout-20250.html
ValleyCentral+ streaming all your favorite high school football games
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — For many, the words Rio Grande Valley and high school football are synonymous. Here in South Texas, fans show up for Friday night lights and that is exactly why ValleyCentral is proud to announce its...
https://rgv.news/valleycentral-streaming-all-your-favorite-high-school-football-games-20243.html
From Fort Worth to McAllen, Texans could lose clout in Washington if GOP changes political lines
The GOP push to redraw the state’s congressional maps isn’t just a partisan move but one that deeply affects how Texans are represented in Congress.
https://rgv.news/from-fort-worth-to-mcallen-texans-could-lose-clout-in-washington-if-gop-changes-political-lines-20233.html
Trump preps to sign executive order to stop mail-in ballots
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — President Donald Trump is preparing to sign a new executive order that he hopes will do away with mail-in voting, as he claims mail ballots can be manipulated and voting machines are “highly inaccurate." Many,...
https://rgv.news/trump-preps-to-sign-executive-order-to-stop-mail-in-ballots-20232.html
Edinburg Police Department makes Valley history with new 'Drone First Responder' program
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Edinburg Police Department will become the first law enforcement agency in the Rio Grande Valley to launch a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program. The DFR is modeled after other nationally recognized programs and...
https://rgv.news/edinburg-police-department-makes-valley-history-with-new-drone-first-responder-program-20214.html
Confusion reigns as Texas colleges scramble to comply with ban on in-state tuition for undocumented students
The state isn’t providing schools with guidance and advocates say students who still qualify for lower rates are being asked to pay thousands more.
https://rgv.news/confusion-reigns-as-texas-colleges-scramble-to-comply-with-ban-on-in-state-tuition-for-undocumented-students-20211.html
Texas Republicans’ redistricting maps: How the GOP could increase its stronghold.
The proposed congressional districts are fueling a redistricting battle at the Texas Capitol and could have national consequences. A bipartisan war is already brewing across the U.S.
https://rgv.news/texas-republicans-redistricting-maps-how-the-gop-could-increase-its-stronghold--20199.html
UTRGV Athletics give first look of Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley gave ValleySportsCentral a first look at the newly improved Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium. The UTRGV Athletics Department is gearing up for its first college football season at...
https://rgv.news/utrgv-athletics-give-first-look-of-robert-and-janet-vackar-stadium-20181.html
Tropical low could still bring heavy rain
The tropical low we have been watching for a few days has been lurking just off shore much of today and is expected to push inland today, but the path has shifted just enough that we are no longer...
https://rgv.news/tropical-low-could-still-bring-heavy-rain-20165.html
Tropical low brings rain risk to the RGV
A tropical wave tracking toward the Rio Grande Valley may shoot straight to the (sweet spot) along the coast of Mexico later Friday. The sweet spot refers to a tropical event pushing inland 20 to 80 miles south of...
https://rgv.news/tropical-low-brings-rain-risk-to-the-rgv-20156.html
Texas GOP Says Flood Relief Is Priority. Here’s the Climate Policy They Won’t Pass.
Governor Greg Abbott’s first special session is coming to an abrupt end after House Democrats fled the state to protest the Texas GOP’s cynical exploitation of the deadly Fourth of July Hill Country floods to enact redistricting that would,...
https://rgv.news/texas-gop-says-flood-relief-is-priority-here-s-the-climate-policy-they-won-t-pass--20141.html
Low pressure system brings chance of rain to Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The National Hurricane Center has shifted its yellow blob a little regarding a broad area of low pressure that is in the Bay of Campeche this morning. There is still a very low (20%) chance...
https://rgv.news/low-pressure-system-brings-chance-of-rain-to-valley-20137.html
Trump vowed to end “wasteful” federal spending. Beloved Texas school programs got caught in the middle.
Sweeping and sudden funding changes this year put two revered after-school programs for low-income Texans and a rural teacher training initiative at risk of closure.
https://rgv.news/trump-vowed-to-end-wasteful-federal-spending-beloved-texas-school-programs-got-caught-in-the-middle--20135.html
Renovations and rebranding at Brownsville's North Park Plaza
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — (ValleyCentral) Big changes are coming to North Park Plaza in Brownsville. Renovations have been going on for over 18 months, and another change includes a new name: Sabal Market Plaza. This plaza has been a Brownsville staple...
https://rgv.news/renovations-and-rebranding-at-brownsville-s-north-park-plaza-20130.html
Bill protecting sex trafficking victims from some criminal charges passes Senate
Senate Bill 10 would shield victims from prosecution from some crimes if they’re threatened or coerced into the act by their trafficker.
https://rgv.news/bill-protecting-sex-trafficking-victims-from-some-criminal-charges-passes-senate-20127.html
Former Edinburg city councilman pleads guilty to federal bribery charge
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Former Edinburg City Councilman Jorge “Coach” Salinas pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge on Wednesday. During a hearing on Wednesday afternoon, Salinas admitted that he attended a meeting in July 2019 between a businessman...
https://rgv.news/former-edinburg-city-councilman-pleads-guilty-to-federal-bribery-charge-20123.html
If Texas were to ban or regulate THC, crime labs say they would need more resources
Crime lab officials told lawmakers Wednesday they are struggling to keep up with deadlier drugs like fentanyl and a THC ban or new regulations would add to the challenge.
https://rgv.news/if-texas-were-to-ban-or-regulate-thc-crime-labs-say-they-would-need-more-resources-20120.html
'Systemic failures': Valley mom files lawsuit against Roblox
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A mother in Cameron County has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, claiming that her son was sexually exploited by an adult on the online gaming platform. The lawsuit was filed on Aug. 6 and comes...
https://rgv.news/-systemic-failures-valley-mom-files-lawsuit-against-roblox-20118.html
Harlingen restaurant owner recounts aftermath of being detained by ICE
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — El Control Mexican Restaurant in Harlingen reopened after several of its employees were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in June. Restaurant co-owner Blas Garcia said he will never forget the day immigration officers...
https://rgv.news/harlingen-restaurant-owner-recounts-aftermath-of-being-detained-by-ice-20116.html
Abortion Funds See Dwindling Donations as Demand and Cost Rise
When the one-two punch of Senate Bill 8—a 2021 Texas law that barred nearly all abortion care —and the U.S. Supreme Court’s subsequent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade befell Texans, Blanca Murillo felt like she was on the...
https://rgv.news/abortion-funds-see-dwindling-donations-as-demand-and-cost-rise-20114.html
Midland school board votes to restore school name honoring Confederate general
Five years ago, during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, the board voted to change the high school to Legacy High. On Tuesday, it reversed course.
https://rgv.news/midland-school-board-votes-to-restore-school-name-honoring-confederate-general-20113.html
Texas private schools hire relatives and enrich insiders. Soon they can do it with taxpayer money.
An investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state laws had the schools been public.
https://rgv.news/texas-private-schools-hire-relatives-and-enrich-insiders-soon-they-can-do-it-with-taxpayer-money--20111.html
Tropical trouble may be brewing near the RGV later this week
It started out as a basic tropical wave near Central America, over the southwestern Caribbean. Now this simple wave is drawing the interest of the National Hurricane Center. Right now the NHC places a 20% chance for tropical development...
https://rgv.news/tropical-trouble-may-be-brewing-near-the-rgv-later-this-week-20107.html
